Television local wireless transmission and control

ABSTRACT

A wireless local television transmission system with related methods, apparatus, and components. There is a source of a video signal to be viewed at a remote location such as a TV camera, cable select box, antenna, or VCR. An up converter is connected to the source for shifting the video signal to a frequency above the normal television bands. A transmitter is connected to the up converter for transmitting the video signal at the shifted frequency. A receiver is disposed at the remote location for receiving the transmitted video signal. A down converter is connected to the receiver for shifting the video signal back down to a frequency within the normal television bands and identified with a known channel. Finally, conventional television set functions are connected to the down converter for processing and displaying the video signal on the known channel. The preferred up conversion shifts the video signal to a frequency in the band of 902-928 MHz and frequency modulates the video signal on a carrier within that band. Provision is also provided for the wireless transmission of control signals provided by a conventional infra red controller/transmitter so that the controller/transmitter can be used at the location of either the VCR or the television set. The preferred embodiment employs a single controller/transmitter for both VCR and television control. An improved cable select box is disclosed employing two tuners and wireless signal transmission. A wireless video camera/recorder system is also disclosed. The disclosure also includes a universal controller/transmitter transmitting IR and RF signals simultaneously as well as a directional antenna to be employed with receiving equipment to reduce interference.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 096,929, filedSept. 15, 1987.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to local television transmission and, moreparticularly, to a wireless local television transmission systemcomprising, a source of a video signal to be viewed at a remotelocation; up converter means connected to the source for shifting thevideo signal to a frequency above the normal television bands;transmitter means connected to the up converter means for transmittingthe video signal at the shifted frequency; receiver means at the remotelocation for receiving the transmitted video signal; down convertermeans connected to the receiver means for shifting the video signal backto a frequency within the normal television bands and identified with aknown channel; and, television set means connected to the down converterfor processing and displaying the video signal on the known channel.

Television (TV) is a major factor in everyday life throughout much ofthe world. Unfortunately, the rapid advances in the art relative todevices for producing the television signals that drive the TV sets hasnot provided a convenient method of connecting those devices. All thisis to say that television technology quickly outstripped interconnectingtechnology resulting, quite literally, in a mess. The typical home hasat least one video cassette recorder (VCR) and, probably, two TV sets.Cable has generally replaced the old antenna on the roof; so, there isprobably a cable select box as well. All these are usuallyinterconnected with so-called co-axial cable or "co-ax". The co-ax isstiff and cumbersome. If the viewer wants to have the ability to watchone station while recording another, quite often a so-called "A-Bswitch" must be employed, particularly where scrambled pay channels arebeing unscrambled within the cable select box. The result is a tangledweb of co-axial cable connected between signal splitters, A-B switches,cable select boxes, VCRs and TV sets.

Where it has been desired to have a single VCR and/or cable select boxprovide signals to TV sets in separated rooms, the co-ax has been runthrough the walls, attics, along baseboards, or what have you, to makethe necessary interconnections. In one recent commercial prior artattempt to overcome the problem, fine double stranded wire has beensubstituted for the unwieldy co-ax. The use of an ordinary pair of wiresin place of the co-ax is also addressed in Choy et al U.S. Pat. No.4,054,910. The Karplus U.S. Pat. No. 3,093,706 suggests transmitting theTV signal over the power lines. Since the latter patent is over twentyyears old and the use of power lines to replace co-ax has not beenadopted, it would appear that the teaching did not produce acceptableresults.

Some of the basic problems presented and some prior art attempts attheir solution are depicted in FIGS. 1-6. The basic problem is depictedin FIG. 1; that is, some one or more TV signal sources 10 (e.g. videocamera 12, TV antenna 14, cable select box 16 or VCR 18) must beconnected to the TV set 20. The typical method is co-axial cable 22 withsignal splitters and A-B switches (not shown), as necessary for theparticular hook-up. Devices such as the cable select box 16 and VCR 18typically output their signal at the frequency and in the manner of anormal TV signal from channel 3 or 4 (although other normal channels canbe, and have been, used). The input to the TV set 20 is at its normalsignal input terminals and the tuner of the set 20 is tuned to theappropriate channel (3, 4, etc.) to receive the signal in the normalmanner.

In an effort to eliminate the interconnecting wires, some illegalefforts have been made to wirelessly transmit the combined video/audiosignal from the VCR 18 in the manner shown in FIG. 2. This approach isalso employed in commercially available devices in Japan (where it isnot illegal) employing UHF television channel frequencies. The audio andvideo signals developed by the VCR 18 from the cassette being played(not shown) are input to a transmitter 24 which is set up to transmitwith a low power signal from antenna 26 on a channel normally not usedcommercially in the local area, such as channel 3 or 4 as mentionedabove (with channels 14 and 15 sometimes being used). The TV set 20 thenpicks up the transmitted signal over its normal "rabbit ears" antenna28. This, of course, is an illegal transmission at a licensed frequencyin the United States and can, and has, gotten the manufacturers andsellers of such devices in serious trouble with the FederalCommunications Commission.

One very common prior art arrangement for cutting down on the number ofcables and wires required is shown in FIG. 3. The typical VCR 18 has apower outlet (not shown) on the back of the case into which the powercord 30 of the TV set can be plugged instead of having to run two powercords to a wall outlet. Often, the power outlet of the VCR 18 iscontrolled by the VCR 18 so that to turn on both the VCR 18 and TV set20, only the VCR 18 needs to be turned on. Commonly, the VCR 18 can becontrolled in all its functions by an infra red (IR) transmittingcontroller 32 which also eliminates wires and cables. The controller 32emits a coded beam of IR energy 34 which is detected by an IR detector36 on the front of the VCR 18. Which brings us to the prior artimprovement to such systems depicted in FIG. 4. The transmittingcontroller 32 must be within a limited distance of the detector 36 andmust be able to have the IR energy 34 therefrom directed onto thedetector 36. Thus, if the VCR 18 and TV set 20 are remotely located fromone another, the transmitting controller 32 is useless at the locationof the TV set 20 where the viewer is located. To solve this problem,Robbins U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,211 teaches the use of a transmitter 38having an IR detector 36' therein which detects the coded beam of IRenergy 34 from the transmitting controller 32 and transmits the signalas an electrical signal on the interconnecting co-axial cable 22 betweenthe VCR 18 and TV set 20 to a repeater 40 which uses the electricalsignal to produce a duplicate coded beam of IR energy 34' which isdirected on the detector 36 of the VCR 18 to operate it remotely.

For the operation of multiple TV sets 20 located throughout a pluralityof rooms such as in a hotel or apartment building, the Parker U.S. Pat.No. 2,628,275 suggests the arrangement shown in simplified form in FIG.5. A transmitter 42 takes the received TV signals and retransmits themon an antenna wire 44 disposed in the baseboard of the rooms throughoutthe building. The antenna wire 44 is in lieu of co-axial cable 22 withsplitters at each room location and cable 22 piercing the walls at eachlocation to provide connection thereto. Each TV set 20 is provided withan antenna 28' disposed along the baseboard in close spaced relationshipto the antenna wire 44 causing the signal in the wire 44 to beinductively coupled into the antenna 28'.

Finally, as depicted in FIG. 6, it is well known to wirelessly transmitthe audio portions of the TV signal from an audio transmitter 46 to alocal speaker 48 located where the viewer sits to provide privacy inviewing television; that is, one viewing and listening to the TV set 20by means of the local speaker 46 does not disturb someone else in theroom or house. Such devices are exemplified by the patents ofSienkiewicz U.S. Pat. No. (3,259,689 and Trask U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,737;the latter patent being directed more to providing high fidelity soundthan to privacy.

Wherefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a methodand apparatus for the wireless local broadcasting of video signals in abroad spectrum of applications which eliminates the necessity for anykind of physical interconnections, is legal, and which provides a highquality signal.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method andapparatus for the wireless local broadcasting of control signalsassociated with wirelessly broadcast video signals.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a methodand apparatus for combining control signals for multiple associatedvideo devices into a single device so as to eliminate the necessity ofhaving multiple controllers.

Other objects and benefits of the present invention will become apparentfrom the description which follows hereinafter taken in combination withthe drawing figures which accompany it.

Summary

The foregoing objects have been attained in the wireless localtelevision transmission system of the present invention comprising, asource of a video signal to be viewed at a remote location; up convertermeans connected to the source for shifting the video signal to afrequency above the normal television bands; transmitter means connectedto the up converter means for transmitting the video signal at theshifted frequency; receiver means at the remote location for receivingthe transmitted video signal; down converter means connected to thereceiver means for shifting the video signal back down to a frequencywithin the normal television bands and identified with a known channel;and, television set means connected to the down converter for processingand displaying the video signal on the known channel.

In the preferred embodiment, the up converter means shifts the videosignal to a frequency band above 900 MHz and, more particularly, to afrequency within the band 902-928 MHz. Additionally in the preferredembodiment, the up converter means frequency modulates the video signalon a carrier within that band.

Further with respect to the preferred embodiment, the source of thesignal including a video portion also includes a control systemresponding to coded infra red energy from a controller/transmitterstriking a detector to produce a coded electrical output and the presentinvention additionally comprises supplemental detector means located atthe television monitor for detecting the coded infra red energy from thecontroller/transmitter and for translating it into a coded electricalsignal; remote control transmitter means connected to receive theelectrical signal for transmitting the coded electrical signal at afrequency allocated to the transmission of binary coded information;remote control receiver means located at the source of the signalincluding a video portion for receiving the transmitted electricalsignal and for recreating the coded electrical signal therefrom; and,means connected to the receiver means for inputting the coded electricalsignal into the control system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram showing the various devices thatare usually connected to a television set by wire according to the priorart.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of illegal prior art attempts totransmit television signals from a VCR, or the like, to a television setwirelessly.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of a prior art VCR employing aninfra red control transmitter which is connected by wires to atelevision set for both signal and power control.

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of a prior art repeater systemwhereby a local transmitter responds to the infra red signals from acontrol transmitter and sends those signals over the same cableinterconnecting the television set to a remotely located VCR where theyare used to drive a repeater placed in front of the infra red detectorof the VCR.

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of a prior art system proposed foruse in hotels, apartment buildings, etc. wherein an antenna is runthrough the baseboards in the rooms and the television sets pickup theirsignal through inductive coupling to the antenna.

FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of a prior art technique forwirelessly broadcasting the audio portion of a received televisionsignal to a local speaker placed near the viewer's chair.

FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of one embodiment of the presentinvention without control feedback.

FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram of a second embodiment of thepresent invention without control feedback.

FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram of a third embodiment of thepresent invention without control feedback.

FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of one embodiment of the presentinvention with control feedback.

FIG. 11 is a simplified block diagram of a second embodiment of thepresent invention with control feedback.

FIG. 12 is a more detailed block diagram of one manner of preferredoperation of the present invention wherein the wireless localtransmission of the television signal is accomplished employing afrequency modulated signal.

FIG. 13 is a more detailed block diagram of another manner of preferredoperation of the present invention wherein the wireless localtransmission of the television signal is accomplished employing afrequency modulated signal.

FIG. 14 is a more detailed block diagram of a preferred VCR constructionaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a more detailed block diagram of a preferred television setconstruction according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a drawing of a dual function infra red controller/transmitteraccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention as employedwith VCR/TV matched sets.

FIG. 17 is a cutaway side view of an adjustable directional antenna asmight be employed for preferred operation of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a view of the antenna of FIG. 17 in the plane XVIII-XVIII.

FIG. 19 is a simplified diagram of the preferred double sideband FMoperation of the present invention which provides for "A" and "B"channels of 12 MHz total bandwidth each.

FIG. 20 is a simplified block diagram of a video camera constructedaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a simplified block diagram of a video recorder constructedaccording to the present invention for operation in conjunction with thecamera of Figure 20.

FIG. 22 is a simplified block diagram of a cable select box according tothe present invention in a first embodiment containing two tuners andsingle channel wireless transmission.

FIG. 23 is a simplified block diagram of a cable select box according tothe present invention in a second embodiment containing two tuners anddual channel wireless transmission.

FIG. 24 is a simplified block diagram of the preferred dual modecontroller of FIG. 16.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides its benefits across a broad spectrum ofvideo applications. While the description which follows hereinafter ismeant to be representative of a number of such applications, it is notexhaustive. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the basicmethods and apparatus taught herein can be readily adapted to many uses.It is applicants' intent that this application and the claims appendedhereto be accorded a breadth in keeping with the scope and spirit of theinvention being disclosed despite what might appear to be limitinglanguage imposed by the requirement of referring to the specificexamples disclosed It should also be noted that while the audio portionsof the TV signal are addressed from time to time hereinafter withrelationship to novel aspects of the present invention, the wirelesslocal transmission of audio signals, per se, is known in the art and thepresent invention is primarily directed to the wireless localbroadcasting of video which, until the present invention, has defiedthose skilled in the art despite the long felt desire and need for suchcapability.

The very basic approach of the present invention with respect to thewireless transmission of video is shown in FIG. 7. The signal from a TVsignal source 10, such as those discussed with respect to FIG. 1, isinput to an up converter 50 wherein it is shifted in frequency to alegal frequency for the transmission of video information locatedoutside of and far above the normal television channels. It is presentlycontemplated that such frequency will fall into the band from 902 MHz to928 MHz. After the frequency of the signal is shifted upwards in the upconverter 50, it is broadcast via the local transmitting antenna 26 bythe power transmitter 52. On the receiving end, there is a separatereceiver 54 (instead of direct reception by the TV set 20 as in theprior art) which receives the high frequency locally broadcast signalvia receiving antenna 28 and inputs it to a down converter 56 wherein itis shifted downward in frequency back into the normal television bandand an assigned channel frequency. The normal TV signal as reconstitutedby the down converter 56 is then input to the TV set 20 for normalprocessing.

It is envisioned by the applicants that the above described basicapproach to local wireless video transmission and reception will beaccomplished in two ways--which can be combined as necessary andconvenient for different applications. As shown in FIG. 8, it iscontemplated that the local transmitter, generally indicated by thedashed box 58, and the local receiver, generally indicated by the dashedbox 60, can be stand alone units. That is, for use with existing VCRs18, TV sets 20, and the like, a stand alone local transmitter and/orreceiver 58, 60 can be employed by simply connecting them to theassociated devices. As the technology of the present invention isaccepted and new devices are produced, it is envisioned by theapplicants that the integrated implementation depicted in FIG. 9 will beemployed wherein the local transmitter 58 and local receiver 60 areincorporated into the devices themselves in order to take advantage ofcommonly usable components such as power supplies, etc.

In the preferred method and apparatus for use with a VCR/TV setcombination, the IR transmitting controller 32 is also provided for sothat the viewer at a remote location has full wireless control of theVCR 18 in another location. As with the basic approach of FIG. 7 whichhad stand alone and integrated configurations as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,the expanded basic approach combining the controller 32 therein is alsoanticipated to be available in stand alone and integrated configurationsas shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In the stand alone configuration of FIG.10, the local transmitter 58' once again contains the up converter 50and power transmitter 52. Additionally, however, there is a remotecontrol receiver 62 also connected to the antenna 26. The remote controlreceiver 62 is connected to drive an IR repeater 40' with an electricalsignal reflecting the IR signal 34 from the transmitting controller 32in the manner of the prior art repeater 40 discussed above. In similarmanner, the local receiver 60' once again contains the receiver 54 andthe down converter 56. Additionally, however, there is a remote controltransmitter 64 connected to broadcast via the antenna 28. The remotecontrol transmitter 64 receives its input from a detector circuit 66having an IR detector 36' therein for detecting the IR energy 34 fromthe controller 32. The coded signal from the controller 32 is translatedinto an electrical coded signal which is then transmitted by the remotecontrol transmitter 64 to the remote control receiver 62. It isanticipated by the applicants that the transmitter/receiver 64, 62 willoperate on one of the frequencies provided for the local transmission ofcoded information such as those employed with garage door openers, andthe like. It is also contemplated by applicants that thetransmitter/receiver 64, 62 will, most likely, include logic forappending additional changeable coded information on the signal sentbetween them which can be employed to prevent interference between theuse of the controller 32 remotely and garage door openers, etc. in thearea which might be affected thereby, and vice versa. It is also worthyof note that the approach of a single IR controller/transmitter formultiple devices as is part of the present invention could also beemployed with multiple devices without wireless transmission if uniquesignals were recognized in each device. In such instance, as well aswith the wireless transmission, the additional changeable codedinformation would also prevent interference from other IR operateddevices in the area.

In the integrated versions of a VCR 18' and a TV set 20' as shown inFIG. 11, the VCR functions 68 and local transmitter 58' are containedwithin a common case, as indicated by the dashed line 70, and sharecommon components as applicable. The output of the remote controlreceiver 62 is connected to the preamplifier 72 of the IR detector 36 sothat the VCR 18' can be operated both locally and remotely with the sametransmitting controller 32. Similarly, the TV functions 74 and localreceiver 60' share common components and a common case as indicated bythe dashed line 76.

Turning now to FIG. 12, the preferred method and mode of operation ofthe present invention to reduce the chance of interference betweensimilar systems in an area (as from neighboring house to house) isshown. The normal TV video signal is broadcast as an amplitude modulated(AM) signal with the audio portions frequency modulated (FM). In thepresent invention according to its preferred method of operation, purevideo and audio signals 78 and 80 are obtained by a demodulator 82. Ifavailable from the source as in the case of some VCRs, the pure signalscan be employed directly as indicated in the figure. In either event,the video and audio signals 78, 80 are input to a frequency modulator 84connected to a crystal controlled oscillator 86 providing the carriersignal in the 902-928 MHz band which is the preferred signal band forthe present invention. The FM signal from the modulator 84 containingthe video and audio information is transmitted by power amplifier 88 viathe omni-directional antenna 26'.

The user end is preferably provided with an adjustable, directionalantenna 28' for maximum unwanted signal rejection capability so as tominimize the possibility of interference from and with other signalsources in the area. The FM signal as received is demodulated by thedemodulator 90 to reproduce the pure video and audio signals 78', 80'.The pure audio signal 80' is frequency modulated in modulator 92 with a4.5 MHz carrier signal from the crystal controlled oscillator 94 toreproduce the expected audio signal portion of the resultant TV signalto be generated for use. The output from the modulator 92 is thenamplitude modulated along with the video signal 78' in modulator 96 witha carrier signal from the crystal controlled oscillator 98 which isoperating at a selected frequency in the normal TV band, such as channel3 or 4 as commonly employed in such devices. The reconstituted TV signalcan then be employed with a normal user device, generally indicated as100, such as a VCR 18 (recording function) or TV set 20.

A fully integrated implementation of the method and apparatus of FIG. 12is shown in FIG. 13. Note that the components are greatly simplifiedthrough integration. The signal source 10' (e.g. VCR functions) needonly produce the pure video and audio signals 78, 80 which are FMmodulated by modulator 84 with the same carrier frequency in thepreferred 902-928 MHz band from the oscillator 86 as in the priorexample of FIG. 12. The same power amplifier 88 and omni-directionalantenna 26' are also used. On the receiving end, the FM signal is againreceived by the preferred adjustable, directional antenna 28' anddemodulated by demodulator 90 to reproduce the video and audio signals78', 80'. In this instance, however, the pure signals 78', 80' are fedinto a video and audio driver, 102, 104, respectively, the outputs ofwhich are employed to drive the user devices 100' such a monitor 106 andspeakers 108 to produce a TV output or as inputs to a VCR recorder 110requiring only the pure video and audio signals (i.e. without a TV tunerbuilt in).

A preferred configuration for a fully integrated VCR 18' is shown in amore detailed block diagram in FIG. 14. It should be noted at this pointif not already apparent, as with the rest of this specification and theappended drawings, the individual components shown by way of blockdiagram are either well known or could be easily produced by thoseskilled in the art without undue experimentation and, therefore, in theinterest of simplicity and to eliminate redundancy, the descriptionscontained herein of the various circuits and apparatus are only shown tothe block diagram level. As with the more general block diagram of FIG.11, the VCR 18' of FIG. 14 has all its components located within asingle case (not shown for convenience). A single power supply 112 isemployed for all the circuits and electrically driven components asindicated by the dashed lines. A cassette drive 114 is provided toreleasably accept and play a video cassette 116 to produce the purevideo and audio signals 78, 80 which are input to a video amplifier 118and an audio amplifier 120, respectively. The outputs from theamplifiers 118, 120 are input to modulator 84 along with the preferred902-928 MHz band carrier signal from the oscillator 86. The FM signalfrom the modulator 84 is fed into power amplifier 88 and from thencethrough a bandpass filter 122 to the omni-directional antenna 26'. Theremote control receiver 62 which was discussed earlier is also connectedto the antenna 26' through trap 124 so as to receive control signalstherefrom. The trap 124 and bandpass filter 122 assure that thevideo/audio FM signals being broadcast and the control signals beingreceived through the common antenna 26' are properly directed andfiltered of unwanted signal components. Again as previously mentioned,the remote control receiver 62 is connected to the preamplifier 72 asone input thereof with the IR detector 36 providing the other inputthereof. The output from the preamplifier 72 provides the control signalinput to the function control circuit 126 which, in turn, is connectedto control the power supply 112 (i.e. turn the set off and on remotely)and the cassette drive 114 (e.g. to provide direction and speed controlcommands).

In like manner, a preferred configuration for a fully integrated TV set20' is shown in a more detailed block diagram in FIG. 15. Again, thereis a single power supply 112 and all the components are in a common case(not shown for simplicity). The adjustable, directional antenna 28' isconnected to a first bandpass filter 128 for passing only the 902-928MHz band preferred local broadcasting frequency. The output of thefilter 128 is connected to a selectable tuner 130. The preferredconfiguration for the tuner 130 is a bi-selectable tuner having a switch131 by means of which a selection between an "A" channel and a "B"channel can be made. The reason for this preferred embodiment can beseen with a brief digression to FIG. 19. The usual television "channel"occupies a bandwidth of 6 MHz (e.g. channel 5 occupies 76-82 MHz).Commercial television broadcasting equipment employs complicated andexpensive so-called "single sideband" transmitting apparatus toaccomplish this in order to get twice as much broadcasting capability inthe same space. For the consumer-oriented equipment as wherein thepresent invention is directed, cost is a major factor in consumeracceptability. Thus, the single sideband approach is cost prohibitiveand applicants contemplate that a full 12 HMz will be occupied by asingle transmitting/receiving pair employing the present invention inits anticipated preferred configurations. Therefore, it si anticipatedthat there will be selectable "A" and "B" channels centered about 909and 921 MHz, respectively. The use of the two channels, coupled with theFM video transmission that is unique to the present invention and thedirectional receiving antenna 28' is expected to provide wirelesstransmission of video signals which are of high quality, having a highsignal to noise ratio, and very little, if any, local interferencebetween neighboring systems.

Returning now to FIG. 15, the output of the selectable tuner 130 isconnected to the FM demodulator 90 which produces the video and audiosignals 78', 80' as before, which are connected, respectively, to videoand audio drivers 102, 104, which, in turn, are connected to drive themonitor 106 and speaker 108. To provide reception for normal televisionsignals, VHF and UHF tuners 132, 134 are connected between signal input136 and the AM demodulator 82, which is also connected into the drivers102, 104. The AM demodulator 82, it should be noted, includes all thenecessary circuitry to produce pure audio and video signals as itsoutput. A duplicate (to the one in the VCR 18') IR detector 36 isconnected to preamplifier 72. The output of the preamplifier 72 isconnected to a function control circuit 126' controlling the powersupply 112, sound volume, etc. It is also connected through a secondbandpass filter 138 and trap 124 to the antenna 28'.

Turning now to FIG. 16, a preferred embodiment for the IR transmittingcontroller 32' when employed with the present invention in matchedVCR/TV pairs is shown. Typically, one transmitting controller is soldwith and used in conjunction with a VCR while another controller is soldwith and used in conjunction with a TV set. Alternatively in the priorart, some devices share a common controller which has a switch thereonfor switching it between functions. In the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, a single multi-function controller 32' as shown inFIG. 16 provides all the necessary functions for use in either location(i.e. at the location of the VCR 18' or the location of the TV set 20')without the need for switching the controller to obtain differentfunctions. A first set of buttons 140 control the TV functions while asecond set of buttons 142 control the VCR functions. The coded signalsfrom the controller 32' are unique to each of the buttons 140, 142 andthe function control circuits 126, 126' within the devices include logicto recognize only those control signals applicable to the particularfunctions being controlled in that device. In one possible embodiment,the controller 32' transmits its coded signals simultaneously as IR andRF signals for reception by either type of system. The IR signals aretransmitted out the end of the case in the usual manner while the RFsignals are transmitted by a small antenna 174. Where desired, thefunctions of a cable select box could also be included in the universalcontroller 32' with, of course, unique codes being output for itsfunctions as well. It is anticipated by applicants that in the presenceof such commonality of components, the television industry willultimately settle on a common interface signal convention for devicecontrol signals as employed in the present invention which will allow asingle controller 32' from any manufacturer to be employed with allcompatible devices. Such a device in its preferred embodiment is shownin block diagram form in FIG. 24. The controller 32'' includes within acommon case (as indicated by the dashed line) the input buttons 184which input to signal coding logic 186 upon being depressed by a user.The signal coding logic 186, in turn, drives both an RF transmitter 188and an IR transmitter 190 to output the unique coded signals associatedwith each of the bottons 184 and their assigned functions as both acoded RF signal and a coded IR signal so as to usable with either typeof receiver on the associated devices being controlled. As usual forsuch controllers, a battery 192 is employed to provide the necessarypower for both RF and IR transmission.

With regard to future TV sets 20' to be designed and built with thefeatures of the present invention integrated therein, it will berecalled that it is has been stated as being preferred that thereceiving antenna 28' be adjustable and directional. Such an antenna asenvisioned by the applicants as being adaptable for incorporation intoTV sets is shown in simplified form in FIG. 17 and 18. With respect tosize, the preferred carrier frequency band of 902-928 MHz has a quarterwave length of approximately 3 inches. Thus, half wave length spacing ofradiating element to provide directability to the antenna need only bein the order of 6 inches. The antenna 28' comprises a circular housing144 having a peripheral retaining lip 146 about the upper outer edge. Adisk-shaped inner member 148 is snapped into the housing 144 andretained there by an inner peripheral retaining ridge 150. The innermember 148 is free to rotate within the housing 144. Both the innermember 148 and the housing 144 are made of plastic. The housing 144 isadapted to be secured to the inside of the top 152 of the case 154 withdouble sided adhesive tape 156, or the like A thin circular adjustinglip 158 extends radially out from the side of the inner member 148 topass through a slot 160 provided therefor in the side 162 of the case154. By manually moving the lip 158 from outside of the case 154, theantenna 28' within the case 154 can be adjusted. The actual antennaactive and passive elements comprise metal foil strips 164 embedded into(or adhesively attached onto) the plastic of the inner member 148. Theconfiguration of the active and passive elements can be as desired toprovide the desired characteristic according to techniques well known tothose skilled in the art. The strips 164 are electrically connected tocable 22' by means of which the antenna 28' is connected to theappropriate circuitry as previously described herein.

A further aspect of the present invention is shown with reference toFIGS. 20 and 21. While the primary emphasis in the preceedingdescription and its accompanying drawings has been with respect to atransmitting VCR and a receiving TV set, the role of the VCR can bereversed and/or combined to advantage; that is, the VCR can alsowirelessly receive signals to be recorded. In the normal real-timerecording and/or display of video information, a video camera views thescene of interest and develops video and audio signals which are eitherrecorded directly onto a cassette located within the camera ortransmitted via co-axial cable to a remote location for recording and/ordisplay. FIG. 20 shows a video camera 166 according to the presentinvention. The lens 168 focuses the image on a charge coupled device(CCD) 170 which outputs a video signal 78 as in devices previouslydescribed herein. Likewise, a microphone 172 produces the audio signal80. The usual transmitting components according to the present inventionas previously described are then used to broadcast the video/audioinformation to a remote site where the recording apparatus of FIG. 21receives and uses it. A TV display in the manner of FIG. 15 could alsobe provided to receive and display the TV signals as transmitted, ifdesired. Such an approach could be used in commercial TV broadcastingfacilities, for example, to allow producers, directors, etc. notphysically located in the control room to view what the camera isshooting in real time. With particular respect to the receiving,integrated VCR recorder 110' of FIG. 21, the antenna 28'' (probably bestconfigured as an omni-directional antenna for this application) isconnected to the selectable tuner 130 which, in turn, is connected tothe FM demodulator 90 which produces the video and audio signals 78, 80which are input to the video and audio drivers 102, 104 which are usedto provide the inputs to the cassette drive 114 which contains thewriting heads (not shown) by means of which the video/audio informationis recorded on the cassette 116.

As those skilled in the art will instantly recognize, the playback VCRof FIG. 14 could be combined with the recording VCR of FIG. 21 toprovide a fully integrated VCR which both broadcasts and receivessignals wirelessly.

Several further aspects of the present invention are shown withreference to FIGS. 22 and 23. As shown in FIG. 22, there is a cableselect box 16' provided with two full channel tuners 176 and 178 eachhaving a channel selector input panel 180 and incorporating pay channelunscrambling circuitry as appropriate. Tuner 176 is a local tuner and isconnected through local output lines 182 to the audio and video inputsof a television set, VCR, or the like, located locally to the box 16'and connected thereto with cable or wire. Tuner 178 is a remote tunerand is connected to the video and audio amplifiers 118 and 120 aspreviously described to transmit its output wirelessly to a device at aremote location. Typically, the adults desire to watch one program whilethe children are watching another at a different location within ahouse. This arrangement allows a single cable select box to be used forthe selection of different programs at two different locations in ahouse or the like. As will also be noted, the two tuners 176, 178 areindependently connected to the function control circuit 126 and theremote control receiver 62 is independently connected to the functioncontrol circuit 126 from the preamplifier 72. In this manner, the tuners176, 178 can be independently controlled from their respective watchinglocations.

An alternate arrangement is shown in the cable select box 16'' of FIG.23 wherein the tuners 176, 178 are both connected to transmit theirsignals wirelessly. Each tuner 176, 178 is connected to its own audioand video amplifiers 118, 120 and its own oscillator 86 and modulationstage 84. The modulation stages 84 both drive a common power amplifer88, etc. for transmitting. One oscillator 86 operates at the channel "A"frequency while the other oscillator 86 operates at the channel "B"frequency so that the outputs of the tuners 176, 178 are separatelyreceivable. While applicants envision most devices being connected bycable for true local connection and only transmitting wirelessly toremote locations where direct interconnection is impossible orinconvenient, the use of dual wireless transmitting capability in VCRs,and the like, as described with respect to the cable select box 16'' ofFIG. 23, is viewed as quite possible and practical in many instances.

Thus, it can be seen from the foregoing description and the variousexamples provided therein that the present invention is truly amulti-faceted invention covering a broad spectrum of the video art.

Wherefore, having thus described our invention, we claim:
 1. In atelevision system including a source of a signal including a videoportion modulated onto a first frequency from any of the standard UHFand VHF frequencies used for normal television broadcasting and atelevision monitor for displaying a video picture, the improvement forwirelessly locally transmitting the video portion of the signal from thesource to the monitor comprising:a) first demodulating means disposed atthe source and connected to receive the signal for demodulating thefirst frequency and for producing the video portion thereof as anoutput; b) oscillator means disposed at the source for generating asecond frequency above any standard UHF and VHF frequencies used fornormal television broadcasting; c) first modulating means disposed atthe source for modulating said second frequency with the video portionof the signal to produce a modulated second frequency signal as anoutput thereof; d) amplifying and transmitting means connected to saidoutput of said first modulating means for amplifying and transmittingsaid modulated second frequency signal from a transmitting antenna; e)receiving antenna means disposed at the monitor for receiving saidmodulated second frequency signal; f) second demodulating meansconnected to said antenna means for demodulating said modulated secondfrequency signal as received and for reproducing the video portion ofthe signal as an output; and, g) means interconnecting said output ofsaid second demodulating means to the monitor for conducting the videoportion of the signal to the monitor to be used thereby in producing avideo picture.
 2. The improvement to a television system of claim 1wherein:said oscillator means generates said second frequency at afrequency above 900 MHz.
 3. The improvement to a television system ofclaim 2 wherein:said oscillator means generates said second frequency ina band of 902-928 MHz.
 4. A wireless local television transmissionsystem comprising:a) a source of a video signal to be viewed at a remotelocation, said video signal being modulated onto a first frequency fromany of the standard UHF and VHF frequencies used for normal televisionbroadcasting; b) first demodulator and up converter means connected tosaid source for removing said video signal from said first frequency andmodulating it onto a second frequency above any standard UHF and VHFfrequencies used for assigned television channels; c) transmitter meansincluding a transmitting antenna connected to said first demodulator andup converter means for transmitting said video signal modulated on saidsecond frequency; d) receiver means including a receiving antenna atsaid remote location for receiving said transmitted video signalmodulated on said second frequency; e) down converter means connected tosaid receiver means for removing said video signal from said secondfrequency and for modulating said video signal onto a third frequencywithin the normal television bands and identified with a known channel;and, f) television set means connected to said down converter meansincluding second demodulator means for removing said video signal fromsaid third frequency and for processing and displaying said video signalon said known channel.
 5. The wireless local television transmissionsystem of claim 4 wherein:said up converter means shifts said videosignal to a frequency band above 900 MHz.
 6. The wireless localtelevision transmission system of claim 1 wherein:said up convertermeans shifts said video signal to a frequency band of 902-928 MHz. 7.The method of locally wirelessly transmitting a television video signalbetween a source producing the signal as a modulation on a first radiofrequency carrier and a television set for use therein comprising thesteps of:a) demodulating the first radio frequency carrier to remove thevideo signal from the first radio frequency carrier; b) modulating asecond radio frequency carrier at a frequency above any standard UHF andVHF frequencies used for assigned television channels with the videosignal; c) wirelessly transmitting the modulated second radio frequencycarrier to the location of the television set; d) receiving anddemodulating the second radio frequency carrier to remove the videosignal from the second radio frequency carrier; e) modulating a thirdradio frequency carrier with the video signal; f) connecting the thirdradio frequency carrier to a signal input of the television set; and, g)receiving and demodulating the third radio frequency carrier within thetelevision set to remove the video signal from the second radiofrequency carrier.